Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Sep 10, 2002 07:16pm | #1

   I suspect if it's still there and in it's original liquid or gelled form, it works.  They are, after all, solvents.  And, since you're not combusting them (hopefully) there's no need to worry about slight water contamination as you would with gasoline or kerosene.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   bill_1010 | Sep 11, 2002 03:04am | #2

   i was reading a can of methyl chloride, it said 6months after you opened the can.

1. 
   forestgirl | Sep 11, 2002 05:18am | #3

   Oooops, dead wrong I was!  I had no idea, truly.  Wonder why?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   DHoov2 | Sep 11, 2002 05:25am | #4

   Oops from me, too.  I read my can more closely and it also says 6 months.  Sorry to have bothered everyone, but thanks for the replies.

1. 
   forestgirl | Sep 11, 2002 05:52am | #5

   Oh, let's not stop now.  Tomorrow, I think I'll stop by Ace and look at various cans of strippers.  I'm wondering now if it's only the ones that are the "no-drip" formula, or all of the MC strippers, that have a 6-month life expectancy. 

   Now that I know this, I'll probably change my buying habits and stop getting the gallon-size, since I really don't strip that often nowadays.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   DP | Sep 11, 2002 05:47pm | #6

   I doubt you were looking at a can of methyl chloride; it's a gas (bp -24 deg C) at NTP, but rather were probably looking at methylene chloride which is used as a stripper.  Methylene chloride is stable on storage so unless there is some other component in the formulation you looked at I know of no reason why it should have a shelf life.  It is however a volatile chemical (bp 40 deg C) so it will evaporate unless it is stored in a tightly closed container.  Also you should be aware that it is an inhalation hazard and a carcinogen.

1. 
   forestgirl | Sep 11, 2002 07:01pm | #7

   Just reading the "working plastics" article in Wood magazine last night, and noticed that the solvent used to bond acrylic is methylene chloride.  Hmph!  Costs a ton when you buy those little tiny bottles.  Wonder, if I have the regular (not "no-drip") type in a can of stripper, can I just put a little in a small bottle and use it for bonding plastics?  Guess I'll have to do some reading and see what info I can pick up from the cans.forestgirl -- Remembering the heroes and the victims

1. 
   DP | Sep 11, 2002 09:31pm | #8

   I see no reason why it shouldn't work, however why not try acetone?  Depending on the plastic it will do as good a job bonding and is a heck of a lot safer to  use.  Just remember it's flammable.